If you could "DR" an LP12, would it sound like this...

Posted by: Mike1380 on 25 July 2016

Over the last five years I've trodden the LP12 path. I've had some interesting moments as I took this journey. Certain things have remained constant.

I've kept a rewired Ittok, and a Lyra Delos. I've always had a Cirkus based player, it's always run through a Superfine, with a HiLine 4-5 coming out of the PSU (have moved from Hicap to Supercap on this).

There are some Linn things I've never had on the player. It has always had a third party top-plate (first a Khan, then a Karmen). It's also always had a third party subchassis (firstly a RubiKon, and then a Tangerine Plateau). I've added a Trampolin 2, a T-Kable, airplug-Z, sKale counterweight, move the Hercules offboard into a Mose.

All the while the humble Ittok/Delos combination has stayed.

Why?

Because I just love the way that this combination times.

So, I had a sum of money come my way and was pondering what to do next. The arm and cartridge are staying. I'd heard a friend's similarly equipped player (albeit RubiKon and DV20) with a Radical. It was very VERY good. An easy comparison too as my Dad runs a D20/Ittok player with a Mose.

So, I signed up for this Radical thingy and made arrangements for the install. As always I wanted the infamous Derek to do the job, and as Tangerine is just a couple of miles away, this was scheduled for today.

Knowing how Derek tends to catch my interest in other upgrades, I also looked into his new Stiletto plinth.

Before the install I'd popped round to see Mark and got a taste of what it would bring, albeit on an Aro/geddon player. It was impressive enough that I signed up for that too.

I'm disappointed.

In MYSELF.

Because I usually find no trouble in expressing my experiences after an upgrade.

I'd seen a post by another Stiletto owner on another forum. There was multiple usage of the word "gobsmacked".

I'm trying to find other words, but it's difficult.

Can I separate the Radikal from the Stiletto plinth and express the two steps individually?

Not really. I know that I'm hearing an awful lot more than I've heard on other Radikal players. But that's missing the point.

I'm hearing more information and better music than I've EVER heard on a HiFi system.

I had expectations based on other players, I've heard a full SE player, and I was comfy with what I thought I'd get for a very serious outlay.

I could have just opted for a Lyra Etna cartridge instead.

Hang on. What am I doing typing this?

Stuff it, I'm going to put another record on.

Posted on: 27 July 2016 by MDS

Mike1380 posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:
Does the name on the sub-chassis imply one can only play Tangerine Dream's albums on it?
Bloody hell, I hope not!!!!!!

So far Floyd, Iced Earth, Hugh Laurie, AC DC, Metallica, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Rush, Fleetwood Mac, Stiltskin and Ray Parker Jnr (yes, Ghostbuster original 7" single) have all had the run on the platter.

All sounded amazing!

So you're saving Hendrix and Led Zep for later then, Mike?

Posted on: 27 July 2016 by Chris Dolan

I like the look of the fluted version even more - and I've been told that it could be produced with a silver "top plate" and the rest black. Very very tempting if it does the sonic business cool

Posted on: 28 July 2016 by Mike1380

In situ:

Posted on: 28 July 2016 by Mr Underhill

Hi Mike,

Knowing the care and attention you put into any change you make to your system I am excited to hear this first hand ....just need to choose which records to bring round; I know how much you like Billy Joel!

Posted on: 29 July 2016 by Iron Cobra

If you could "DR" an LP12, would it sound like this...

A DR LP12 would be a LP12SE (keel, radikal, Ekos SE, Kandid, urika) with Karmen top plate, sKale counterweight and Super Lumina RCA/DIN interconnect.

Mine sounds mighty fine and wouldn't change it

Posted on: 29 July 2016 by Mike1380

Iron Cobra posted:
If you could "DR" an LP12, would it sound like this...
A DR LP12 would be a LP12SE (keel, radikal, Ekos SE, Kandid, urika) with Karmen top plate, sKale counterweight and Super Lumina RCA/DIN interconnect.
Mine sounds mighty fine and wouldn't change it

Point taken ( and sounds like a fantastic player).

Suppose the pedant in me would counter that for the true DR experience it'd need a Superline/ SupercapDR...

In which case I'm nearly there. 8). Just need to trade in the Olive Supercap for a current one. Someday.....

Posted on: 29 July 2016 by Chris Dolan

It would definitely need an Aro and in my view at least a Chord Sarum Super ARAY RCA/DIN interconnect - and preferably Chord Music cool

Posted on: 30 July 2016 by Iron Cobra

Mike 1380

For me the urika sounds better than the superline, that old debate.

However I suppose the DR equivalent for the urika/radikal was the Dynamik upgrade

Posted on: 30 July 2016 by Chris Dolan

Iron Cobra posted:
However I suppose the DR equivalent for the urika/radikal was the Dynamik upgrade

Agreed - but provided that it is with a Klimax case Radikal nod

Posted on: 30 July 2016 by Iron Cobra

Chris,

Not so sure about the Klimax case, it will not accept a powerline. The Akurate however does accept the powerline and what a difference that makes

Posted on: 30 July 2016 by Chris Dolan

Indeed so, but the Klimax cased Radikal sounds better any way, and can be used with a modified plug Chord Sarum Super ARAY power cable - which is the icing on a spectacular cake cool

Posted on: 30 July 2016 by Dave J

True that.

Posted on: 02 August 2016 by Clive B

Chris Dolan posted:
I like the look of the fluted version even more - and I've been told that it could be produced with a silver "top plate" and the rest black. Very very tempting if it does the sonic business

Really, Chris? I've seen photographs of your Woodsong wenge plinth in the Kabin, which has to be one of the finest examples around. You'd be off your rocker to change that gorgeous grain for a black anodised aluminium plinth, irrespective of any sound improvement!

IMHO of course.

Posted on: 02 August 2016 by Chris Dolan

That's very kind of you Clive - thank you. I'm not sure that I could bear to lose my Wenge plinth and I have yet to hear a Stiletto

Posted on: 07 August 2016 by MDS

This morning I had the pleasure of seeing and listening to Mike’s new Stiletto. I deliberately say ‘seeing’ because in the flesh it looks fabulous. The black finish would be a perfect complement to Naim’s 500 series, it’s that good.

So what did I make of the performance?

We sampled a variety of stuff, all of which I’m familiar with. Playing Seal’s first album I was immediately struck by how much bigger the soundstage seemed. Both deeper and wider. The placement of vocalist, instruments was easier. Next impression was the low-end performance. I’ve always thought Mike’s set-up has excelled at the bottom end but it has now taken a big leap forward. Bass guitar and drums were palpable. The performance reaching down much deeper than before and yet with excellent control. This was very obvious on LZ’s Since I’ve Been Loving You.

But as well as the bottom end there was extra detail and subtlety coming through across-the-board.

Some AC/DC again showed these characteristics and at this stage in our session I also become aware of the significant reduce in surface noise. As a long-time CD convert, I’m particularly sensitised to vinyl’s inherent surface noise so the Stiletto’s benefit in this respect was particular striking for me.

For a conclusion to our listening session we listened to Floyd’s live performance on One Of These Days from Pulse. Did I say conclusion? Perhaps it would be better to describe it as ‘climax’ because, bl**dy hell, this performance was simply stunning!

Was I impressed? Just a bit. I’ve not hear better vinyl reproduction, ever. Ok, I’m not hugely experienced in the vinyl field but ……..I’ve previously heard Linn’s top LP12 set up in-store. It was good, as it should be for the price, but it didn’t touch me like Mike’s new Stiletto. So, you LP12 junkies out there beware: listen to a Stiletto at your peril!

Mike

Posted on: 16 August 2016 by Efraim roots

Happy Listener posted:
bluedog posted:
Each to his own and all that. It would be interesting to compare your "Franken-Linn" to a thoroughbred LP12 of equivalent value using the "tune-dem" approach advocated by Linn themselves. IMHO if one buys a Rolls Royce there is little to be gained by adding Lexus parts to it. Purely a personal view of course.
Bluedog - I'm not sure this is the right way round. Per most dealers/owners (many who post here), the level of mods from after-market providers is now driving out much enhanced performance from the LP12 (as a generic moniker). IIRC, there was a time when the steel top-plate and the flex it allowed, was said to benefit the sound - that seems to have been well & truly de-bunked some time back.
Staying with the car analogies, I think a standard high-spec Linn LP12 is now being given the (Merc) AMG treatment by others. You listen with your ears and you pays your money as you see fit.
To add some variables in to this, per trusted views from friends, I understand some of the non-Linn plinths can adversely affect the sound, so it's not a one-way street.

Staying with the car analogies, isn't the aftermarket LP12 products more like the aftermarket products for older Mercedes-AMG? I know a really cool one of those that really makes an facelift for an older AMG and it won't cost you very much either! It's those small stickers that looks like you got bullet holes on your car, great stuff!

-Or maybe not.

Posted on: 17 August 2016 by Mike1380

MDS posted:
This morning I had the pleasure of seeing and listening to Mike’s new Stiletto. I deliberately say ‘seeing’ because in the flesh it looks fabulous. The black finish would be a perfect complement to Naim’s 500 series, it’s that good.
So what did I make of the performance?
We sampled a variety of stuff, all of which I’m familiar with. Playing Seal’s first album I was immediately struck by how much bigger the soundstage seemed. Both deeper and wider. The placement of vocalist, instruments was easier. Next impression was the low-end performance. I’ve always thought Mike’s set-up has excelled at the bottom end but it has now taken a big leap forward. Bass guitar and drums were palpable. The performance reaching down much deeper than before and yet with excellent control. This was very obvious on LZ’s Since I’ve Been Loving You.
But as well as the bottom end there was extra detail and subtlety coming through across-the-board.
Some AC/DC again showed these characteristics and at this stage in our session I also become aware of the significant reduce in surface noise. As a long-time CD convert, I’m particularly sensitised to vinyl’s inherent surface noise so the Stiletto’s benefit in this respect was particular striking for me.
For a conclusion to our listening session we listened to Floyd’s live performance on One Of These Days from Pulse. Did I say conclusion? Perhaps it would be better to describe it as ‘climax’ because, bl**dy hell, this performance was simply stunning!
Was I impressed? Just a bit. I’ve not hear better vinyl reproduction, ever. Ok, I’m not hugely experienced in the vinyl field but ……..I’ve previously heard Linn’s top LP12 set up in-store. It was good, as it should be for the price, but it didn’t touch me like Mike’s new Stiletto. So, you LP12 junkies out there beware: listen to a Stiletto at your peril!
Mike

Hi Mike

Thanks for coming over for a listen. I've been pretty amazed by the changes too, and have especially been enjoying a lot of Pink Floyd. I've given the rest of Pulse a spin now and it's pretty awesome.

However, my final changes are now in. A Powerline on the Radikal, which was every bit worthwhile, and the pair of olive Hicaps powering the 82 have just been superceded by a lovely olive Supercap with its' own Powerline.

It's only been in for half an hour, and I've only just had a quick AB with the Karik, but certainly takes that to a different level. Maybe you should pop back over soon for another listen?

Mike